The Telegraph
June 2011
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War
and Our Country’s Heritage and Family
Ken Hoffman
10 East Fifth Street
Oil City, PA 16301
The Telegraph
June 2011
President’s Letter
Howdy All,
As I write this, I’ve just returned from the School Talk at New
Wilmington. I reflect on what a wonderful opportunity these talks
are for us to share our interest in the Civil War. I always drive away
with a good feeling about what we do by being in service to the
communities around us. We help to bring to life something that
happened so long ago and make it feel a bit more real for the
students and even the teachers. But even beyond the students, it’s
also not uncommon during some of the down times at these events to
have a discussion about the War or our experiences as re-enactors
with parent-helpers, teachers, security guards and school bus drivers,
etc… This year, we’ve participated in about 10 school talks. With
each, we’ve been able to reach out to many individuals and help to
peak their interest.
When I was 10, we took a family trip to Gettysburg. What I
remember about that visit, more that any one thing, is the
demonstration that a single re-enactor put on by standing there and
talking to us about his weapon, equipment and clothing. It was an
image from 40+ years ago that remains with me today and helped
served to drive me into this hobby and it is not unlike what we do at
these school talks. When I stand in front of a group and talk about
some aspect of the Civil War, my mind often drifts back a bit to that
one re-enactor, so many years ago and I feel like I am telling him
thanks for what he did for me and sparking my interest.
I commend all that have participated and supported these events;
whether you have participated once, or many times, you should feel
good in your service.
On another note, I’d like to make a comment about the Memorial Day
Parade in Mercer. I’ve participated in a number of parades, but I’m
not sure that we’ve ever looked finer. I felt good about our marching
and firing at the time and to validate that, immediately following the
service in the cemetery, Lt. Evans commented on these same things
as well. Our lines were straighter than ever, our volley’s were as
crisp and sharp as I have ever seen, maybe the best ever. We
performed with excellence, in a manner befitting with honoring the
service of those who have served in the armed services, both past and
present. A big thank you to all the civilians and soldiers that
participated in the parade. Thanks for making the parade feel special
to me. I’m sure others feel much the same.
Thank you,
Brian
First Call
Hello Everyone,
This past month we had the Stone House and Burton and the
Mercer Parade. I will start with the Stone House. It rained and was
very muddy and did I mention it was very muddy. Evan so we had a
good turnout both members and spectators. We did some work on
Army protocol and did a good amount of drill. Turned out to be a
fairly smooth weekend.
Oops! I almost forgot the school talks. I was able to participate in
Oil City and Grove City. They were both a lot of fun and we were
able to teach lots of students. Close to 700 from Oil City and about
200 from Grove City.
Then on to Burton. Here we had a small group but I think we had
quite a nice time. We fell in with the 23rd. Ohio and that went pretty
smooth. We thought because it had been so wet they were going to
do something different and fight the battle through the village but
once the battle time came it was back to business as usual. Very
Burtony.
On Monday we did the Mercer parade. I think this is the best we
ever marched and an entire parade of good volleys. Our lines stayed
very straight for the whole parade. The group looked quite nice out
there. Huzzah to all those who were able to be there. Following the
parade we did the GAR ceremony at the cemetery then it was off to
celebrate the Holiday.
For those of you going to Philippi I will plan on seeing you there.
Until next month,
Sgt. Todd Frampton
The Ultimate Challenge
On May 24th, 2011, the Oil City School talk went well. I would
like to start by saying thank you to all of those who attended. It was
very challenging in the fact of having over 700 children to entertain
for 12 minutes. They were large groups and you had to speak loudly
and it was non-stop all day. It was a good day weather wise, with
only a few rain drops here and there. We received many thank you
notes from the students. I will try to get them to the meeting for all to
see.
May 27th, 2011, was the school talk at Grove City Middle
School. It went very well. We did have scattered showers, but not
when the children were outside. I must say that the end of the day
battle was something to watch. It was extremely entertaining. It
reminded me of the controlled chaos on the battlefield, only the
battlefield had around 250 middle school students with high energy
levels. It was a lot of fun for all of the reenactors and students alike.
Submitted by: Christine M. Hoffman
My Family’s Civil War Experience
As a young child I always had an interest in the American Civil War.
My first visit to Gettysburg was in 1963, shortly after the centennial
of the battle. I was three years old, but even then I knew that
Gettysburg was special place. It wasn’t until we visited Gettysburg
for the second time in, 1966 that it really took hold, a life long love for
the land in and around Gettysburg. It was then that I first found out
that I had ancestors that were involved in the battle. Of course I was
too young to understand what that meant. But still it kept me
interested in Gettysburg and the Civil War. For Christmas, 1967, I
received a book from my parents about the Civil War. I still have it in
my collection. I soon found out about other battles that happened. I
visited Gettysburg one more time in 1969, briefly, while my family
was in Harrisburg for a convention. It wasn’t until 1983 when I was
out of school, that I became a regular visitor of Gettysburg. Since then
I have visited Gettysburg some twenty times both as a visitor and as
a re-enactor. I have also visited Manassas National Battlefield,
Antietam National Battlefield, The Wilderness, Chancellorsville,
Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg National Battlefields. I have visited
the historic forts around the Niagara Region and Colonial
Williamsburg as well.
As you can tell I love history and family history as well. When I first
found out that I had ancestors that fought in the Civil War, I became
very excited and enthused. My father first pointed out that I had a
great-great grandfather that fought for the Union. His name was John
Stumpff. The John Stumpff that he showed me on the Pennsylvania
monument was with the Pennsylvania 49th. Over the years I came to
find out that there was another John Stumpff on the monument and
he served with the Pennsylvania 4th Calvary. That prompted me to do
some research on both men. My sister, a genealogy enthusiast, told
me that she had done some research, and the John Stumpff in the
Pennsylvania 4th Calvary was our great-great grandfather. I furthered
a search and in the Pennsylvania archives website they have a John
Stumpff listed serving with the Pennsylvania 4th Calvary, Company
L. He was from Pine Grove Township, Venango County. He enlisted
in November of 1861 and mustered out in October of 1864. Because of
his age, 48, his duties were that of a teamster. The Pennsylvania 4th
Calvary was involved one way or another in every major campaign
in the eastern theatre, most notably the Antietam and Gettysburg
campaigns. Their monument at Gettysburg is on Hancock Ave near
Fr. Colby’s statue. When my wife Sharon was expecting our first
child, and if we were to have a son, we would name him John, after
his great- great- great grandfather John Stumpff.
I have another great-great grandfather who served with the 33rdNew
York. His name was Ira Damon Morse or ID Morse for short. He was
from New Woodstock, NY. At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted
with the 33rd NY and was placed in Company I as a musician. He was
discharged on August 9, 1862 at Harrison’s Landing Va. After the
war, he eventually settled in the Greenville area. He is buried in the
Shenango Valley Cemetery in Greenville.
We first came in contact with the 10th Pa at an event at the Greenville
airport back in 2001. That is where I met Dave Robinson Sr. and was
“cordially” invited to join the group. Over the years and at various
events, mainly the Victorian Days in Mercer, He would ask me “Well
is this the year you’re going to join?” It wasn’t until after our family
Virginia trip in 2007 that I thought it would be a good idea to join.
We’ve been to all these battlefields over the years and each time I felt
there was something missing, the experience wasn’t complete. My
youngest son Jerry in the meanwhile was buying pieces of equipment
as I was until we had most of our uniform and accouterments. When
Jerry became 16, he joined the 10th Pa and the following year my
oldest son John and I joined as well. Soon my wife Sharon joined to
make it complete. This is our third year as re-enactors, and what a
time to be one. As we are in the dawn of the Civil War
Sesquicentennial, we look forward to attending as many of the “big”
events as we can in the coming years. I thank Capt. Dave Robinson,
Sgt. Todd Frampton and all the members of the 10th Pa, for what they
have done for us to make my family’s Civil War experience complete.
Submitted by: Jerry Stumpff and the Stumpff family
Letter of Thanks
Dear 10th Pennsylvania,
I wish to thank you all for taking the time out of your schedule to
come to the Oil City School talk. We hope to make longer times for
each station if this occurs again. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation
at this event. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did and the students
of Oil City. See you soon!
Private Garrett Shiemke
How I Became a Civil War Reenactor; or How I’ve Spent My Last 5
Summer Vacations
The 6th grade classes at Moniteau have the great privilege of
going to Gettysburg on an overnight field trip. When my daughter
was going on the trip, I had the good fortune of being chosen to
chaperone. I had always found the Civil War interesting, and was
thrilled with the chance to revisit Gettysburg. Little did I know how
that trip would affect my life. The part of the trip that most stuck in
my mind was this extremely enthusiastic speech given by one of the
teachers, about the charge of the Louisiana Tigers, followed by a talk
about some General who’s name I believed was something like
Windshield Spot Bangcock (?). Anyway, after that trip, I read
anything I could get my hands on about the Civil War. I also would,
at any opportunity, ask questions of that “enthusiastic teacher.” Fast
forward six years, and now it is time for my son to go on the trip. By
now I am working at the elementary school where the teacher who
put the trip together, Mrs. Debby Banks, was working. I told her of
my interest, and much to my surprise, she asked me if I would give a
talk to the students when we were at Gettysburg. I agreed, and was
told to speak to the “enthusiastic teacher”, regarding what I should
talk about. (If you have not already figured it out, the “enthusiastic
teacher” is our very own Dave Straite.) That trip and that speech
lead to even more talks with Dave, which lead to a friendship that I
treasure and to a hobby that I love.
Dave borrowed some equipment and clothing for me and I
joined him at a living history event at Spangler’s Spring in
Gettysburg (or as I like to call I, Mecca). Before that weekend was
over, I had bought a fresh fish uniform package, leathers and I had a
line on a gun! I was hooked. Ironically, even though the group we
were with was not the 10th, the people I remember most were an
officer who slept on the ground out in the open (Dave Robinson, Jr.),
a sergeant with a cool hat and his curly haired son (Todd and Jake).
My best memory is the march a handful of us (including Todd, Jake
and Dave Straite) took to Little Roundtop. After that weekend, I
think it is fair to say that I became obsessed with reenacting and it
has become a very important part of my life, further enhanced when
my wife, Bonnie, agreed to join me.
Submitted by: Kim Olar
June Civil War Events
June 08, 1861 Tennessee formally secedes
June 17, 1861 Thaddeus Lowe demonstrates hot air balloon
June 01, 1862 Lee appointed Commander of Northern VA.
June 06, 1862 Memphis surrenders
June 12, 1862 Stuart begins ride around McClellan
June 05, 1863 Stuart hosts Grand Review of Calvary
June 09, 1863 Battle of Brandy Station
June 1-3, 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor
June 15, 1864 Petersburg Campaign begins
June 26, 1864 Stoneman begins Atlanta raid
June 27, 1864 Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
June 30, 1864 Early marches toward Washington, D.C.
June 23, 1865 Last formal Confederate surrenders
Birthdays in June
June 02, 1815 General Philip Kearney, US
June 03, 1808 Jefferson Davis, Presidents of the CSA
Submitted by: Christine M. Hoffman
The Quotable American Civil War
“For my own part, I consider the first necessity that is upon us, is
proving that popular government is not an absurdity. We must settle
this question now – whether in a free government the minority have
the right to break it up whenever they choose. If we fail, it will go far
to prove the incapability of the people to govern themselves. “
President Abraham Lincoln in May, 1861, to then Secretary John Hay
“On the side of the Union it is a struggle for maintaining in the world
that a form and substance of government whose leading objective is
to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all
shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford all
an unfettered start at a fair chance in the race of life.”
Quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s address to a special session
of Congress, July 4, 1861.
“I tell you, sir, women would make a great brigade – if it was not for
snakes and spiders! They don’t mind bullets – women are not afraid
of bullets; but one big black snake would put a whole army to flight.”
C.S. Lieutenant General, Richard S. Ewell, prior to the Battle of First
Manassas, July 21, 1861.
Submitted by: Ken Hoffman
Reminder about 2011 dues
The treasurer has requested that we notify those from the 10th
Pennsylvania who have not paid their 2011 dues, please forward
them to Dave Straite at the Historical Society or to his home address.
Both addresses are as follows:
WPCWRS
C/O Mercer County Historical Society
S. Pitt Street
Mercer, PA 16137
or:
Dave Straite
133 Fairview Road
Petrolia, PA
16050
Schedule of Events for Summer 2011
June 3-5 Philippi, W. Va.
June 11 Families of Fallen Heroes – Franklin, PA – Bike rally to start
at 1:00 PM – Ceremony to begin approximately 1:30 PM – Civil War
Park, far side of Court House (Color Guard)
June 17-19 Bedford Village (Reb Event)
July 1-3 Gettysburg
July 8-10 Rich Mountain
July 15-17 Victorian Days, meeting on 17th at 1:15 – Historical Society
Victorian Ball to be held Saturday, July 16 in Court House
July 22-24 Manassas (USV)
August 6 Kittaning (Road Show)
Aug. 12-14 Arcade, N.Y. (Reb Event)
Aug. 19-21 Stone House, meeting on 21st at 1:15 – Stone House
Graduations
Breanna Black, daughter of Joel and Lisa Black, West Middlesex High
School
Kyle Novak, son of Chris and Judi Novak, Moniteau High School
Josh Olar, son of Kim and Bonnie Olar, Moniteau High School
Jerry Stumpff, Jr., son of Jerry and Sharon Stumpff, Greenville High
School
Congratulations to all of our graduates and their proud parents. Best
wishes to all of them on their future endeavors.
College Graduations
Daniel Straite, wife of Brittany Straite and son of David and Christine
Straite, Grove City College
The 10th PA would also like to wish Daniel and Brittany a belated
first wedding anniversary. (5-22-2010)
Congratulations on both accomplishments!!
Editor’s Note
Please continue to send me submissions at khoffman60@yahoo.com,
or by mailing them to me at Ken Hoffman, 10 East Fifth Street, Oil
City, PA 16301. I wish to thank those who have forwarded me
articles, and look forward to more being submitted. It is a great way
to rediscover the members of the 10th.